....presta valve question
 

I'm new to cycling and am planning my first group ride (of any type) with the local bike club.

I was adding air to my tires (Presta valve) and the end of the presta valve (the part you screw off) broke off while it was attached to the pump.

Is the tube still usable?

EDIT...i know its a gonna

TIA

Only if you can screw the tiny nut back on the the valve.

thanks 10...i can't and i know it a gonna....

I gotta know how you break something like that ... so I can avoid the same problem. Just bought presta's to replace the schraders and never thought of breaking something...

Pump head sometimes catches on the little nut as you remove the pump. Suggestion - do not fully unscrew the nut. Less chance that it will get caught by the pump head.

Tubes are like $4.

Get a couple.

Now not snarky I am.

I like non-threaded valve stems because the pump chuck comes off easier than the ones with the threads.

Threaded stems are good if you have short stems on medium deep rims and need the nut to help you get the chuck on the valve stem.

But I've broken that nut on threaded valve stems trying to wiggle it off.

I just buy longish (48mm currently) stems that are non threaded on my fairly shallow rims.

First, dont press the inflator head too far onto the valve....you dont need to. Just push the head onto the valve far enough for the pump head clamp to grab ahold and to seal. Not sure if forcing the inflator head onto the valve is what broke yours but it really is not a common failure or point of breakage.

thats exactly what happened....good news is I changed the tube and got tire back on in 30 minutes...I know...I know...but it beats the 2 hour first time change.

thanks for all the tips...great info here....

Here's another tip: don't wiggle the pump's nozzle off the valve. When you're done putting air in it, hold the the wheel steady and give the nozzle a steady thump downwards to pop it off. One shot, just like that.

a thump....with the palm of my hand or fist...OK...I will give it a try next time.

I just pull straight down with both hands in one sharp motion (one on each side of the wheel.) Except in my case it's pulling up since I add air with the presta valve in the 6 o'clock position.

I wrap my hand around the tire at the valve, and push the pump head off the valve using my thumb and middle finger. Straight push. Don't rock the pump head.

...unscrew the little nut just enough, put the pump head just enough to hold securely, and pop it off instead of wiggling it. I think I'll get a pair of those schrader to presta bushings also. And look for tubes with shorter, unthreaded, presta stems. Did I miss anything?

OTBW: thanks Buckwheat for the thread. Good timing. :thumb:

I always position the valve at the top of the wheel before inflating. Back in the 80s when I only had a Zefal frame pump, I broke off a valve when the bike tipped. This is less like to happen with a floor pump that has flexible hose. I still have the 1982 Motobecane Super Mirage in my garage :-)

I use a Lezyne pump. It makes it super easy to get the chuck in and out--never a problem. :)

Ya, I'm really liking the presta's. Never used them before, and just seemed so easy compared to the schrader valves. No loss of air at all removing the pump from the stem. Nice.